IRINA LANKOVA, pianist

Short biography: Irina Lankova is described by international critics as a pianist with a ‘genuinely poetic touch’ (The Independent) and an ‘infinite palette of colours’(La Libre Belgique). Steinway Artist, she is invited to perform on prestigious stages all over the world as a soloist and in various chamber music repertoire.

Known for her ‘very personal and sensitive’ interpretations and recordings, but also for her innovative projects such as ‘Piano Unveiled’ and ‘Goldberg Visions’, Irina Lankova wills, above all, share the emotion.

Medium biography: Irina Lankova is described by international critics as a pianist with a ‘genuinely poetic touch’ (The Independent) and an ‘infinite palette of colours’(La Libre Belgique). She is distinguished by her poetic musicality, her grace, her natural and powerful playing, and her creativity.

Born in Russia and graduated with the highest honors from Gnessin College of Music in Moscow and from Brussels Royal Conservatory, she studied with great pianists such as Vladimir Tropp and Evgeny Moguilevsky and later received personal guidance from Vladimir Ashkenazy. Known for her ‘very personal and sensitive’ interpretations and recordings, but also for her innovative projects such as ‘Piano Unveiled’ and ‘Goldberg Visions’, Irina Lankova wills, above all, share the emotion.

Complete biography: Irina Lankova is described by international critics as a pianist with a ‘genuinely poetic touch’ (The Independent) and an ‘infinite palette of colours’(La Libre Belgique). She is distinguished by her poetic musicality, her grace, her natural and powerful playing, and her creativity.

Irina Lankova performs in prestigious concert halls such as Wigmore Hall in London, Salle Gaveau in Paris, Flagey, Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel and La Monnaie in Brussels, Cidades das Artes in Rio and many others. She is invited to play in many international festivals: Piano Folies Touquet, Académie d'Été de Nice, Sagra Musicale Umbria, Schiermonnikoog Kamermuziekefestival, Brussels Summer Festival, Berlin Summer Festival etc.

Born in Russia and graduated with the highest honors from Gnessin College of Music in Moscow and from Brussels Royal Conservatory, she studied with great pianists such as Vladimir Tropp and Evgeny Moguilevsky and later received personal guidance from Vladimir Ashkenazy.

After her successful debut at Wigmore hall in 2008, Irina Lankova was invited to join the worldwide piano elite ‘Steinway Artists’.

Willing to bring more people to classical music, Irina Lankova develops a number of innovative projects. During her concerts ‘Piano Unveiled’, she speaks to her audience, drawing parallels between historical facts and evoking connections with other art forms. The concept meets a big success, also on the Internet in a form of short series. The artist’s official YouTube channel counts over two million views.

In 2020, she develops a multimedia project ‘Goldberg Visions’ together with a video artist Isabelle Françaix, which brings film as a counterpoint to the timeless masterpiece of Johann Sebastien Bach.

Currently, Irina Lankova is preparing the release of her next solo album ‘Elegy’ which will come out in Spring 2021. Her previous albums dedicated to Rachmaninov, Scriabin, Chopin, and Schubert are highly acclaimed by critics for their 'great sensitivity' (Pianiste), 'very personal narrative'(La Libre Belgique), and 'compelling authority'(The Independent).

Passionate by chamber music repertoire, Irina Lankova performs with many great artists including Tatiana Samouil, Frank Braley, Michael Guttman, Lorenzo Gatto, Michel Lethiec, Philippe Graffin, and many others. Irina Lankova gives Master Classe, lectures on classical music and popularises it through various appearances and collaborations worldwide. Since 2015, she is the artistic director of Max Festival, an international music festival in Belgium.

A selection of press reviews:

THE INDEPENDENT (UK) "Her touch is genuinely poetic, and she works on a large tonal canvas, conjuring moods and atmospheres with compelling authority."

LA LIBRE BELGIQUE (BEL) " The eloquent, colourful and dynamic sound of the piano enables the listener to sense in an exceptional way the personal feelings of the interpreter. The play is clear, the lead is natural, colours are infinite. A real talent!"

INTERNATIONAL RECORD REVIEW (UK) “A first–rate recording does justice to the wonderful rich array of sounds that she coaxes from her instrument.”

PIANIST (FR) "She offers her own narrative with intimate, genuine playing and great sensitivity"

MUSICAL OPINION (UK) "The Wigmore Hall debut was totally convincing and intensely musical"

L’ÉDUCATION MUSICALE (FR) “A magnificent interpretation, interiorised, contrasted and poetic, of a big sincerity and without any affectation. The great art, undoubtedly!”